Happy Fourth of July!

This blog is coming up on its 1 year anniversary at the end of the month. I am so happy I started writing all those months ago. This has not turned out to be the kind of blog I anticipated in creating. How’s that for a Happy Fourth of July!

I have not given myself the opportunity to share as much passion, knowledge and fun that I have for cycling and weight loss with you. I have a pretty compelling story and I have only just begun to share it with all of you.

Getting Back on The Bike

I am going to go out for a nice and easy Happy Fourth Of July Ride this morning. I love to roll along the plains of Boulder County in close, easy view of the foothills and Flatirons. Even though today is a holiday check out how I already spent the first part of my morning.

You see, this is the part where I turn it all around. This is the part where I start providing the value I imagined for this blog. I imagined interesting stories, beautiful rides, and insightful information about weight loss and cycling. I imagined my audience sharing their thoughts and their stories so we could grow as a community.

Daybreak!

When I go out for that ride later this morning, I will ride to be powerful, graceful, and inspirational. You see, my purpose in life is to empower people to change. My bike ride is the manifestation of that change. Getting out for a bike ride was the one thing, the one change I made in my life that sparked my weight loss journey. And going out for a ride reminds me of my purpose. Happy Fourth of July!

Loon Lake on Neva Road

I first got started because I had enough! You know that feeling. You’ve had it up to here! That’s it! Yes, I’m shouting, because I’m fed up with my life! I knew I needed to make a change, and I did not feel like anything could possibly make a difference in my life.

So I decided I was going to lose weight. I made a decision. And I made one change in my day. Instead of sitting on the couch for three hours watching TV, I thought I could ride for 20 minutes out in the garage on the indoor trainer. I made one small change in my day.

Soon I was back to riding outside. Morning air in my face. Recreating the routes I rode all those years ago. Wondering why I had ever stopped bike riding in the first place.

Dakota Ridge along US 36

So this ride is for you. Are you thinking about getting back on your bike? Do you want to make a change in your life? Do you want to achieve a goal you never thought possible? I’m here to tell you it is possible.

I can tell you what to do, what to eat to get you from point A to point B. That just might work.

Loon Lake early on Father’s Day 2016

It takes a mindset to achieve your goal. That is what I will help you see over the next 30 days. You become what you think about most of the time.

I’m still looking to make changes in my life. I can help you too. Together, let’s get out and ride.

How you can get rid of that bicycle saddle sore feeling with five easy steps

I get it. Cycling can be a pain in the butt. Literally.

A professional tour rider can race in their saddle for over a hundred miles a day for three weeks straight. And you are just trying to make it through a single 10 mile ride without tears of pain. Can I tell you about the time I first rode 60 miles to Carter Lake on beautiful Boulder County roads? Brutal!

I know it does not help you when I say that riders get used to a certain level of saddle discomfort. That does not get you excited for another grueling ride. You need solutions now so you can get back on the bike. Ride longer doesn’t help you when all your butt wants to do is quit.

So here are five helpful beginner cycling tips to keep you more comfortable in your seat and get rid of that bicycle saddle sore sensation.

Most people think their ride starts when they get on the saddle and start pedaling. Mine started several days before. Let me explain.

You see, I have started using a calendar to map out my week. When I expect to be at work, when I am going to write for myself, when I am going to write for you. And when I make time to ride.

So I was expecting (with the same anticipation I had when I was 12 and I was going skiing for the weekend – limitless excitement!) to go on a group ride on Saturday. My weekend plans changed. And that was okay.

I got the kids up early, got them to their Sunday morning activity, and started to think about where I would ride. I drank some coffee and came home to gather my gear. Filled the water bottles and filled the tires with air.

I always dreamed that one day I would win the lottery. Millions of dollars in a cash prize just falling into my lap. All of my worries would wash away by cashing in that ticket.

No more bills. Fill my days with epic bike rides and great skiing while my nights would be filled with good food, wine, and great friends & family.

Of course I would be smart with my new found cash. I would not become one of those cautionary tales. Seek out a tax attorney, invest conservatively so I could live off the interest for the rest of my days. I’m sure that is what they all say.

Like that famous athlete who signs that big multi-year contract. They get to do what they love for millions of dollars. Their dedication and hard work paid in one lump sum. That is the dream. And don’t we all want to be living he dream?

Then why does that famous athlete loose all his money in bad investments and child support payments? And why do so many lottery winners end up filing for bankruptcy a few years after striking it rich?

The frozen lake in contrast to a Sunny day

I’ll remind you of two sayings.

Thomas Tusser once said, “A fool and his money are soon parted.” That will not be me. I will do it differently. Most people never consider themselves to be fools.

P.T. Barnum said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” So we are all destined to be fools.

Even if luck graces us once, that is no guarantee it is here to stay. Fickle fate. What if you could create your own luck?

Hey there. I know you want to get started with cycling. I know you want to improve your health and achieve your goals. I know you want to change your life.

Here is your chance. Starting this week. For the next seven days. Your Challenge is to ride for a total of 2 hours over the entire week. You can do it all over the weekend, one 120 minute ride. But if you really want to make cycling part of your lifestyle, why not ride for just 20 minutes a day? Or more!

I’m giving you permission to start today. Comment below and let me know how you do.

James C. Hodgson, Jr from Nerd Fitness says, “Cycling has a magical ability to be whatever the rider wants it to be.” And that can be your first goal. To define what cycling means to you.

Lee Agur of I Love Bicycling says “If you only have a chance to get on a bike twice in one week for 30 minutes each… bike like you stole something.” Cycling at a higher intensity will deliver more results. Both calories for weight loss and cardiovascular conditioning.

And Bryan at Biking to Live says “I needed a plan. I talked about this in my New Years, New Goals post. Last year my riding, weight, and health suffered because I didn’t follow a plan.” He sought the advice of my friend Darryl to achieve his goals.

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My Latest Bike Ride

About Gerald

Hi. I'm Gerald Rhodes, and I live in Boulder County CO. The cycling capital of North America. I have a fun loving passion for cycling and helping you to achieve your goals. I teach and mentor motivated people to make small change in their day so that they may take on a new direction in life. Read More…